World Cup 2014: Arjen Robben says he's being punished for being too honest

Holland winger Arjen Robben says he is too honest for his own good, after the
diving controversy following Holland's World Cup victory over Mexico

Holland winger Arjen Robben said he had been too honest for his own good regarding the controversial penalty he won in stoppage time on Sunday which gave the Dutch a dramatic late 2-1 win over Mexico in their last-16 match in Fortaleza.

Robben dived theatrically, and not for the first time in his career, after Mexico captain Rafael Marquez challenged him in the dying minutes of their match at the Castelao arena.

His comments came after he admitted he dived in the first half provoking the Dutch FA (KNVB) to issue a statement earlier on Monday seeking to clarify the media interpretation of the player's quotes on Dutch TV after the match.

Robben later told a packed media conference at the Holland training camp at the home of Rio club Flamengo: "I tried to explain what happened, but sometimes you are punished for your honesty.

"After the game I was trying to be honest about what happened. I said that in the first half I went to ground without being fouled, without being touched and that was a stupid action from me.

"I think we should have had another penalty in the first half anyway, but in the second half it was a clear penalty, a clear foul. There should be no discussion about that."

Asked if he thought he might be sanctioned by Fifa for his honesty, he laughed off the suggestion saying, "I am an honest guy, I am a straight guy, that's my personality and I apologise for what happened in the first half."

Earlier, Delia Fischer, Fifa's spokeswoman, said she was unaware of any likely punishment for the 30-year-old Dutch winger, one of the outstanding players in the tournament.

Several media reports had erroneously reported that Robben admitted diving for the penalty that led to the victory.